WELCOME TO FICKSBURGThe Cherry Capital of the World
Situated in the scenic panorama of the Eastern Free State, along the Highlands Route, Ficksburg nestles between the foot of the Imperani Mountain and the banks of the Caledon River, the border with Lesotho. Magnificent views of the majestic Maluti Mountains form a backdrop which changes with the seasons, from the purple haze of summer to the snow-clad slopes of winter.
Ficksburg was founded in 1883 and named after General Jan Fick, Commander-General of the old Orange Free State Republic. General Fick’s responsibility was to protect the border between the then Basotholand and the Orange Free State. The government encouraged settlers by offering them land, horses, guns and ammunition in return for settling along the border of the new territory. This discouraged the Basotho from crossing the border, burning farms and stealing cattle.

Today Ficksburg is known as the gateway to Lesotho and the Katse Dam and boasts a large cosmopolitan population. Ficksburg’s economy is based chiefly on mixed agriculture, concentrating mainly on asparagus, cherries and deciduous fruit. Other crops are farmed on a smaller scale. At present there is renewed attention being paid to apples, with more farmers than ever planting apple trees.

The district is renowned for the breathtaking sandstone formations of the mountains here and many of the older buildings in and around the town were built of sandstone. Interestingly, the Union Buildings in Pretoria are built from sandstone quarried in the surrounding area.
Gumtree, a small settlement just outside Ficksburg, has the tallest sandstone structure in the world — an old mill which is sadly no longer in use. Although the number of craftsmen who are able to work in sandstone is dwindling rapidly, there remain a few people who still practise this unique craft. The Cherry Festival with which Ficksburg has become synonymous is the oldest crop festival in South Africa and is held annually during the third week in November.